SLO County weather forecast for the week of Nov. 23

Here is this week’s weather forecast from PG&E meteorologist John Lindsey.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Santa Lucia (northeasterly) winds helped to create near record-breaking high temperatures throughout the coastal regions of San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties with plenty of mid- to high-80s temperature readings. A weak upper-level trough will pass over the Central Coast on Monday morning, which will produce partly cloudy to hazy skies and cooler temperatures. In fact, Monday’s high temperatures will be between 5 and 10 degrees lower than Sunday’s.

A significant change in the weather will occur Tuesday as a cold Pacific low-pressure system and associated cold front drops out of the Gulf of Alaska and will bring unsettled weather in the form of scattered rain showers and mountain snow Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, as well as moderate gale-force to fresh gale-force (32- to 46-mph) northwesterly winds along the coastline by Wednesday afternoon. This cold front will weaken considerably as it moves through Northern and Central California. Consequently, rain totals are expected to be less than one-tenth of an inch. However, the upper-level winds will bring colder air to the Central Coast, with snow levels expected to drop to about 2,500 feet by Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Overnight lows could reach the mid-20s in the North County.

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Santa Lucia (northeasterly) winds will produce a clear, dry and cool Thanksgiving Day, with high temperatures only reaching the mid-50s to the low-60s throughout the Central Coast. A stronger low-pressure system could produce strong to gale-force (25- to 38-mph) southerly winds and rain Saturday.

Surf report

Monday’s 2- to 4-foot northwesterly (300-degree, deep-water) swell (with a 7- to 11-second period) will become a 4- to 6-foot northwesterly (310-degree, deep-water) sea and swell (with a 5- to 15-second period) Tuesday. This northwesterly sea and swell will further build to 8 to 10 feet (with a 7- to 13-second period) Wednesday, decreasing to 5 to 7 feet on Thanksgiving Day.

A 3- to 5-foot northwesterly (300-degree, deep-water) swell (with an 8- to 17-second period) is forecast along our coastline Friday into Saturday. Combined with this northwesterly swell will be increasing southerly seas. A long-period northwesterly swell will arrive along our coastline Sunday.

Seawater temperatures

Seawater temperatures will range between 59 and 63 degrees through Tuesday, decreasing to 57 and 60 degrees Wednesday and will remain at this level through Friday.

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At PG&E, your safety is our first concern. If it rains this week, be especially careful. These rains could release oil and grease that has accumulated on our roadways, creating slippery conditions. Please slow down and give yourself extra time to reach your destination. Driving too fast is the No. 1 cause of accidents on wet days.

John Lindsey’s Weekly Forecast is special to The Tribune. His Weather Watch column appears in the Local section on Sundays. Contact him at pgeweather@pge.com.